News
Sarath asks PM not to mix up priorities
‘Privatisation of state lands poses serious threat’
by Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP lawmaker Rear Admiral (ret.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (06) said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should concentrate on economic recovery instead of constitutional and electoral reforms.
The former Public Security Minister also questioned the undue haste in bringing in 22 Amendment at a time the economy was on the verge of collapse.
The Colombo District MP said so in the wake of Premier Wickremesinghe’s admission in Parliament on Tuesday (05) that Sri Lanka was negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a bankrupt country.
The UNP leader, in his capacity as the Premier and the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies seemed to be taking advantage of the current crisis to advance his political agenda Weerasekera said.
Weerasekera, who first entered Parliament from Digamadulla electoral District at the 2010 general election said that Premier Wickremesinghe shouldn’t mix up his priorities with that of the country.
Wickremesinghe received appointment as Premier on 12 May. The UNP leader was sworn in as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies on 25 May after desperate attempts to convince Dr. Harsha de Silva to take the daunting challenge failed, the lawmaker said.
President Rajapaksa invited Wickremesinghe after Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa set several prerequisites for him to accept the premiership.
The former Navy Chief of Staff alleged that a sinister attempt was being made to privatise state land on the pretext of issuing title deeds to framers et al. MP Weerasekera said that the move on state land should be examined against the backdrop of the previous yahapalana attempt to join MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) Compact with the US.
Asked whether he had raised these issues with the top SLPP leadership, lawmaker Weerasekera emphasised that he wouldn’t remain silent whatever the consequences. MP Weerasekera revealed that he took up the folly of pursuing constitutional and electoral reforms and proposed privatisation of state land at the expense of economic recovery at the government group meeting on Monday (04) chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Wickremesinghe. The group met at the President’s House as the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face remained blocked by ‘Gotagogama’ protesters.
Lawmaker Weerasekera has told the group meeting in spite of his opposition to the inclusion of Wickremesinghe as the Premier, he accepted the appointment once it was made. Declaring he went to the extent of urging President Gotabaya Rajapaksa not to take Wickremesinghe into the fold, MP Weerasekera said that he, however, wanted to back the UNP leader’s efforts to revive the economy. But, the issue at hand was Wickremesinghe was pursuing a political agenda inimical to national interests.
MP Weerasekera said that he exchanged words with Wickremesinghe over the latter’s presentation that dealt with the debilitated national economy. The Premier talked about the economy in the years to come while the hapless public wanted the government to take tangible measures to address the issues at hand.
Lawmaker Weerasekera alleged that those pushing for 22 Amendment had conveniently ignored the Supreme Court ruling in respect of the 21 Amendment. The SC ruled that the powers exercised by the President couldn’t be given to the Prime Minister without having a referendum, MP Weerasekera said, questioning whether the actions of those responsible for 22 Amendment amounted to contempt of court.
Responding to another query, MP Weerasekera emphasized Sinnakkara deeds couldn’t be given under any circumstances as the government was only the custodian but not the owner.
During the discussion, MP Weerasekera also pointed out that Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, during yahapalana administration had been successful in thwarting the move to issue title deeds. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, who now holds the justice portfolio, had been present at the President’s House meeting and explained the circumstances in which he moved court against the relevant Bill at that time.
Lawmaker Weerasekera has told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa how in spite of him having an impeccable career in the wartime Navy, he was subjected to public humiliation for no fault of his due to the disruption of fuel and gas supplies. “I have risked my life for the country and now had to suffer as a result of the failure of those responsible for the economy. This is nothing but a disgrace,” MP Weerasekera told The Island.
MP Weerasekera said that political parties represented in Parliament shouldn’t be blind to ground realities. Therefore, they should know how current economic-political-social crisis threatened Sri Lanka’s unitary status protected at a tremendous cost to the armed forces, the MP said, urging the powers that be to give priority to economic issues or face the consequences.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
